p o n e e t i s l a n d s

LEGENDARY ISLAND HEROINEThe Story of Vima Envazigori

ZITOMUNGUS

In the early days of the Poneet Islands, the peaceable Poneetians had few worries in their world. They lived among themselves with little acrimony or strife and few outsiders arrived and less remained. It was the Poneet Islands as it had been for centuries--untouched by the outside world. The people of the seven-island chain enjoyed their days of work and leisure and their simple quest for happiness was met with few problems.

The seven islands each had an Elders Council and their chosen leader, the Aju Joud. Decisions were argued and decided without struggle or animosity and what was decided was honored and followed by all.

Near the second largest island, Seelbasha, an underwater volcano they called Zitomongus, had been dormant for many years. But now, once again, it had become active. The Poneet Elder Councils and Aju Jouds quickly gathered to determine what could be done. It was decided to keep with the tradition of appeasing the volcano with a sacrifice. Although none in their time had gone through the ritual, the Elders had passed on the stories and procedures and they all knew what must take place to calm Zitomongus.

Announcing to the people that a sacrifice was needed to appease the volcano, only one young girl came forward to volunteer. She was Vima Envazigori, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Sheelbasha’s Aju Joud, Drobu Envazigori.

There was little Drobu could do to protest, as his daughter had made her offering publicly. Although upset, he made peace with her decision.

THE ORB

Zitomongus was now beginning to create tremors and sending lava to Seelbasha’s shoreline. They feared at any moment it could explode. Vima was brought to the volcano prepared for the sacrifice. The Elder Councils and Aju Jouds of all seven islands were on hand to witness the sacrifice.

The skies were darkening with soot and ashen rain was falling. The winds were wild and it appeared that a storm had arrived at that moment. Vima walked toward the shore where the searing lava was approaching. The leaders took cover as the storm intensified. They could just make out Vima nearing her death in sacrifice.

It happened suddenly and unbelievably. As Vima neared her end, a grating orb appeared over the volcano. Suddenly, the orb emitted a blue light so intense, all the witnesses had to cover their eyes. Then there was a force that sent everyone tumbling to the ground.

Moments later, Drobu and the other witnesses rose to their feet and could see that not only was the storm completely gone, the volcano's eruption had abated as well. There was neither lava nor any sign of volcanic activity but for a few clouds of steam. It’s as if it never reactivated. All was clear. The islands were saved.

But Vima was nowhere to be found. She had disappeared. Drobu was consoled and thanked for his family’s sacrifice to the islands. Vima would be honored and her family would be rewarded. Drobu just asked that his daughter remain in their memories and that she be regarded a heroine to the Poneet people.

MACHINATIONS OR HALLUCINATIONS

That night, as Drobu lay with his wife, both in tears, a blue light appeared outside their shelter. He thought it a storm and closed his eyes and fell asleep. His dreams were fitful and unhappy. Until Vima came to his side, knelt on her knees and held his hand saying, “Everything will be alright…”

Drobu’s eyes popped open in time to see a flash of blue light and a thunderous boom. He moved quickly outside to see what storm was coming. There was none. The skies were clear. And in the dark star filled sky… he could see a light traveling away higher and higher until it was gone.

“It will be alright,” Drobu said. He slowly went back into the shelter leaving the quiet, peaceful night to its machinations.